SAP K Gradings K1 - K8

Question

Does anybody know where I could get the full roles and responsibility descriptions for the following SAP consulting gradings :
As far as I am aware the following categories have been defined for SAP consultants:
K1 = Junior Consultant
K2 = Consultant I
K3 = Consultant II
K4 = Consultant III
K5 = Senior Consultant/Management Consultant
K6 = Lead Consultant/Project Implementation Manager/Implementation Specialist
K7 = Development / Consulting Manager / Platinum or Senior Consultant / Global Support Manager / Senior Project Implementation Manager / Industry Specialist
K8 = Senior Development / Consulting Director / Consulting Vice President
We would like to incorporate the relelvant SAP specific aspects into our own company Role profiles (for example statemenst such as May supervise colleagues at Level 1 to Level 3 and allocate resources to make sure work is undertaken effectively and efficiently etc etc.
Thanks, Koen

Answer 1

Hello koen
These are the descriptions of  SAP consulting gradings :
TRAINEE CONSULTANT (K1)
Position Concept
The Trainee Consultant is an entry-level SAP consulting position.
Individuals with requisite academic / professional qualification are
candidates for this position. They would typically not have any business
or systems implementation experience.
They need to display potential in basic communication and interpersonal
skills, leadership capabilities, conceptual thinking and innovation.
They have to be results oriented and enthusiastic and have the ability
to work in a team.
Trainee consultants will be trained in a specific
functional/technological area in mySAP. They will attend the SAP
Academy, ASAP training and applicable Consulting skills training.
Trainee consultants have to be SAP certified and ASAP certified prior to
embarking on any SAP project. They are expected to participate as team
members and will be mentored on the project by either a Consultant or
Senior Consultant. They would be given specific tasks on the project,
which will be carried out under the guidance of their mentor.
They will undergo regular Performance assessment processes to monitor
progress.
Responsibilities:
* Will work within a team under direct supervision of a mentor
assigned to them
* Responsible for specific tasks as assigned by their mentors
* Documentation and administrative tasks
* Use ASAP methodology and tools on the project
* Continually develop mySAP core skills and business knowledge
based on accumulated experience.
* Apply knowledge gained from each project experience to execute
future tasks for projects
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT (K2)
Position Concept
The Associate Consultant has requisite academic / professional
qualifications and with at least 2 years of industry or functional or IT
skills (in specific application areas).
Associate Consultants are either skilled in mySAP specific functional
knowledge or will be trained in a specific functional/technological area
in mySAP. They have to be SAP certified and ASAP certified prior to
embarking on any SAP project. They are expected to participate as team
members and will be mentored on the project by either a Senior or a
Principal Consultant. Typically they would participate in discussions on
process design, configure certain portions of mySAP as per directions
given by the team leader, and provide support in documentation, system
testing and authorizations. They would also perform any administrative
tasks that are involved in a project.
Responsibilities:
* Primary responsibility is preparation and contribution to the
process design workshops, take directions and configure the SAP system,
demonstrate and gain acceptance from the customer
* Assists in the technical preparation of Business Process
Procedures, Test Scenarios, End-user documentation, and User manuals
* Uses ASAP methodology and tools on the project
* Interacts with SAP organisation as necessary during the project
& performs any administrative tasks that are involved in a project.
* Operates as a team member. Continually reports progress. Assumes
additional responsibilities as required
* Continually develops mySAP core skills and business knowledge
based on accumulated experience. Applies knowledge gained from each
project experience to execute future tasks for projects
* Sets priorities appropriately, ensures that work outputs are
timely and of the highest quality
* Receives management direction as appropriate.
CONSULTANT (K3)
Position Concept:
The Consultant performs the bulk of the engagement as defined by the
client contract, and is certified in at least one area of mySAP as well
as in the ASAP methodology. Consultants gather facts, analyse the
client's business processes and draws conclusions. They prepare the
design of the solution and demonstrate SAP functionality to support the
findings and conclusions. Consultants are expected to establish
relationships with client personnel and to deliver timely, high quality
consulting to the client.
Individuals with requisite academic professional qualification and with
at least 5 years of industry or functional or IT skills (in specific
application area) are candidates for this position.
Responsibilities:
* Contributes to consulting projects by analysing client's
business processes and design of mySAP solution. Primary responsibility
is preparation and contribution to the process design workshops, take
directions and configure the mySAP system, demonstrate and gain
acceptance from the customer. Moves logically and creatively from facts
to conclusions. Performs configuration and assists clients in testing
cycles.
* Assists in the technical preparation of Business Process
Procedures, Test Scenarios, End-user documentation, and User manuals
* Assists the client in mySAP knowledge transfer. Establishes
credibility with the client. Interfaces with clients in a professional
manner with emphasis on building client relationships.
* Is alert to opportunities for additional business with the
client. Shares client needs and trends in the marketplace and alerts
Consulting Platinum to potential long-term opportunities
* Continually develops mySAP core skills and business knowledge
based on accumulated experience. Uses ASAP methodology and tools in the
project and acquires additional skills in cross-functional areas and
enabling technologies
* Interact with SAP organisation as necessary during the project &
performs any administrative tasks that are involved
* Leads the execution of assigned project tasks in areas of
demonstrated competence. This includes facilitating meetings/task
groups, tracking and influencing task group progress, tracking project
deliverables, etc.
* Operates as a team member. Continually reports on progress to
the Project Manager and participates as an active member of the project
team. Assumes additional responsibilities as required
* Sets priorities appropriately. Ensures that work outputs are
timely and of the highest quality
* Occupies a non-management position. However operates
autonomously and receives management direction as appropriate.
SENIOR CONSULTANT (K4)/ PROJECT TEAM LEADER
Position Concept
The Senior Consultant plays a key role on the project team; either by
running small projects, Integrating portions of a large project, or
being a team member on a project, driving the analysis, process
finalisation, resolving process and technical issues. The Senior
Consultant performs the role of a Team Leader and ensures high quality
service and high client satisfaction. The Senior Consultant will be
involved in preparing the detailed level plan for their functional area.
The Senior Consultant will also assist in business development
activities by providing proposal inputs.
The Senior Consultant must ensure that the tasks continue to address the
needs of the client and fit within the overall scope of the project, and
are completed on time and within the budget. When issues surface that
could change the scope of the project, the Senior Consultant should
report to the Project Manager and negotiate the impact of these changes
with the client.
Senior Consultants are expected to invest time in the professional
development of other consultants. They act as role models through their
dedication to client service and problem solving and demonstrate their
high-level calibre and capabilities. They provide feedback to their
fellow junior consultants for improvement in their performance.
This position is very visible within SAP and client organisation. Senior
Consultants are expected to build strong relationships and solid
reputations within the industry and market they serve.
Responsibilities:
* Works on more than one engagement at a time. Manages small
engagements or a portion of a large engagement
* Assists in the development and implementation of the project
plan for a project. This includes drafting the project plan (scope,
deliverables, timelines and resources), identifying and recruiting team
members, and preparing and assisting in the preparation of individual
work plans.
* For assigned area, oversees all project activities leading to
the implementation of the requirements.
* Senior Consultants demonstrate creativity and thought
leadership, and use their experience in substantiating the proposed
solutions to the client.
* Contributes to consulting projects by analysing client's
business processes and mySAP solution design. Moves logically and
creatively from facts to conclusions
* Performs configuration and assists clients in testing cycles.
* Assists the client in mySAP knowledge transfer.
* Maintains and expands client contact at high levels and builds
credible relationships with key client personnel.
* Understands client requirements and assists in selling
additional business. Works closely with SAP sales force to create and
define consulting projects and ensures that the client's overall
business objectives and needs are translated into well-defined and
justified projects. This includes preparing work plans and contributing
to proposals that describe the process use to meet the client's needs
and include deliverables, timelines and estimates of the costs and
resources required.
* Primary responsibility is preparation and contribution to the
process design workshops, provide directions to the consultants and
configure the mySAP system, demonstrate and gain acceptance from the
customer.
* Deploy consultants in the technical preparation of Business
Process Procedures, Test Scenarios, End-user documentation, and User
manuals
* Sets priorities appropriately. Ensures that work outputs are
timely and of the highest quality
* Continually develop mySAP core skills, IS-specific skills and
cross-functional expertise and business knowledge based on accumulated
experience. Applies knowledge gained from each project experience to
execute future tasks for projects more effectively.
* Use ASAP methodology and tools in the project
* Perform any administrative tasks that are involved in a project.
* Leads the execution of assigned project tasks in areas of
demonstrated competence. This includes facilitating meetings/task
groups, tracking and influencing task group progress, tracking project
deliverables, etc.
* Interacts with SAP organisation as appropriate, to deploy the
requisite expertise on the engagement team to address specific client
needs in a timely and efficient manner and ensures client access to the
best available resources within SAP. Works with SAP Implementation
Partners to ensure seamless delivery of services to the client. Also
informs SAP organization about client needs and trends in the
marketplace and alerts them of potential long-term opportunities.
* Is a key client contact and will exercise authority appropriate
to particular client requests commensurate with client expectations of
decision-making and consistent with SAP policies and practices. This
will include decisions on resources, contracts, and other
business/process issues where the Senior Consultant is representing SAP.
* Assumes additional responsibilities as required
* Occupies a non-management position. However operates
autonomously and receives management direction as appropriate.
* Acquires additional SAP skills in cross-functional areas and
enabling technologies
PLATINUM CONSULTANT (K5)
Position Concept
Platinum Consultants are involved in large and multiple engagements.
They have Industry focus and are very senior in the consulting
organisation with outstanding track records in industry. The Platinum
Consultant understands and appreciates SAP offerings and mySAP product
capabilities. He utilises his industry skills with SAP product skills to
leverage new opportunities for the SAP country-consulting organisation.
They have overall responsibility for project results including quality
of deliverables, client satisfaction and timelines. The Platinum
Consultant provides direction from Industry Specific or new offering
perspectives to the project team. They would also perform specific tasks
based on the demands of the project.
The Platinum Consultant participates in pre-project activities, such as
defining client opportunities, determining scope, and formulating the
approach to address the client challenges.
Platinum Consultants place heavy emphasis on the client relationship.
Working with the Project Director or Consulting Manager they prepare
proposals that result in client commitment to new and/or expanded
projects.
Platinum Consultants are responsible for contributing to the
professional development of Consultants and may have specific management
responsibilities as well, e.g. administering the professional
development of Consultants. They serve as role models through their
thought leadership, dedication to client service, and routine production
of high quality work. They are mentors and coaches for consultants. They
also provide feedback to Consultants on their consulting performance.
They are active participants in the development of their practice,
including consultant's training/education, mentoring and the recruitment
of new consultants.
Platinum Consultants are the authority in the Industry they represent.
They are active participants in many of the initiatives driven by many
of the Industry associations in the country. They position SAP as a
solution provider as appropriate in these meetings and discussions. They
must be outspoken and well-accepted speakers in many of these key
meetings and gatherings.
Industry knowledge with business, functional knowledge and experience is
a prerequisite. Understanding integrated business environments is
essential. Project Management skills are desirable.
The Platinum Consultant conducts senior management and process design
workshops at strategic level and ensures high quality service and high
client satisfaction. The Platinum Consultant will proactively assist in
business development activities by providing and developing new
initiative proposals.
This position is very visible within SAP and the client organisation.
Platinum Consultants are expected to have some bearing on client
decisions and to have solid relationships with key client executives at
high levels. They should have strong relationships and solid reputations
within the industry and market they serve.
Responsibilities:
* Works on multiple projects simultaneously.
* Provides industry specific solutions and best practices
knowledge to clients
* Develops a solution framework and an implementation plan for
industry specific projects or projects using new dimension products.
* Uses and ensures that mySAP solution maps, ASAP and other
relevant SAP methodologies and tools are deployed very effectively in
client strategic workshops and deliveries.
* Ensures solutions are delivered on time and are of the highest
quality.
* Conducts strategic level workshops with clients to drive a SAP
solution for acceptance and implementation
* The Platinum is involved along with the Project Director/Project
Manager in drafting the project plan (scope, deliverables, timelines and
resources), identifying and recruiting team members, and preparing and
assisting in the preparation of individual work plans.
* For assigned area, oversees all project activities leading to
the implementation of the requirements.
* Platinum Consultants demonstrate creativity and thought
leadership, and use their experience in substantiating the proposed
solutions to the client.
* Contributes to consulting projects by analysing client's
business processes and designing the appropriate SAP solution. Moves
logically and creatively from facts to conclusions
* Maintains and expands client contact at high level and builds
credible relationships with key client personnel. Meets regularly with
client executives to discuss business strategy issues of concern to the
client organisation. Manages client expectations. Has some bearing on
client decisions.
* Understands client requirements and assists in selling
additional business. Works closely with SAP sales force to create and
define consulting projects and ensures that the client's overall
business objectives and needs are translated into well-defined and
justified projects. This includes preparing work plans and contributing
to proposals that describe the process use to meet the client's needs
and include deliverables, timelines and estimates of the costs and
resources required.
* A Platinum Consultant is a role model and coach for consultants-
performs the mentor role. Provides meaningful feedback to consultants to
the overall performance evaluation of project team members.
* Sets priorities appropriately. Ensures that work outputs are
timely and of the highest quality
* Perform any administrative tasks that are involved in a project.
* Leads the execution of assigned project tasks in areas of
demonstrated competence. This includes facilitating meetings/task
groups, tracking and managing task group progress, tracking project
deliverables, etc.
* Interacts with SAP organisation as appropriate, to deploy the
requisite expertise on the engagement team to address specific client
needs in a timely and efficient manner and ensures client access to the
best available resources within SAP. Works with SAP Implementation
Partners to ensure seamless delivery of services to the client. Also
informs SAP organisation of client needs and trends in the marketplace
and alerts them to potential long-term opportunities.
* Is a key client contact and will exercise authority appropriate
to particular client requests commensurate with client expectations of
decision-making and consistent with SAP policies and practices. This
will include decisions on resources, contracts, and other
business/process issues where the Senior Consultant is representing SAP.
* Assumes additional responsibilities as required
* Occupies a non-management position. However operates
autonomously and receives management direction as appropriate.
* Acquires additional SAP skills in cross-functional areas and
enabling technologies
* Works with the Project Management Team and the Country
Consulting Manager to secure SAP's Consulting future and current
strategy and its execution
PROJECT MANAGER (K5)
Position Concept
The Senior Project Manager is a key position in the Consulting
Organisation. They are responsible for the successful delivery of a
project in terms of scope, deliverables, timeline, budget, client
satisfaction and employee satisfaction. The Project Manager is a window
through which the client views SAP and the SAP organisation.
Project Managers must have a rational view to various situations in the
project. They must be very sensitive to client needs bearing in mind the
conflicting requirements that a client team would demand, and the
delivery capabilities of the consulting team.
The skills of the Project Manger are - good project planning skills,
understanding and appreciation of the complexities involved in the
implementation of an integrated application, good communication skills
and people management skills. The Project Manager must be team builder,
motivator, and coach. Must be able to resolve conflicts, take
appropriate decisions at the right time and substantiate the proposed
solution to the client. The Project Manager, with the support of the
Senior Consultants or Integration Consultants, would take the right
decisions for the project. The Project Manager is a taskmaster when it
comes to the delivery of the project. They are responsible for managing
issues that arise from either the consultants and / or the client.
Prior experience in SAP implementation or SAP Project Management is
desirable. The Project Manager must be ASAP certified, to ensure that
the necessary methodology and tools are being deployed fully in the
project by the project team. The consulting team reports to the Project
Manager through their Team Leaders for that project. The Project Manager
works with the Client Project Manager for planning activities, obtaining
necessary infrastructure support and decisions that are required for the
project to progress.
The Project Manager should ensure that regular meetings between the
team, as well as the Steering Committee are conducted. In case of lapse,
the Project Manager communicates the same to the Client Management team
to evoke response, commitment and involvement. As necessary, the Project
Manager may involve an SAP Project Advisor or SAP Auditors, to assist
them in providing useful recommendations for the progress and successful
implementation of the project. Project Managers normally report to the
Consulting Manger in the SAP Organisation. In case of large projects,
where parallel implementations are running, the Project Manager would
report to the Project Director. The Project Manager would take the
Project Director's advice and inputs to run the project.
The Project Manager interacts with the SAP organisation when support is
required in terms of Consulting skills, technical support or SAP issues
or any business issue that is beyond the scope of the implementation.
The personal characteristics of a Project Manager reflect their
capabilities in managing the project as individual resources:
* A well-balanced and tolerant nature
* Ability both to lead and work in teams
* Ability to cope with stress
* Rhetorical skills
* Capacity for enthusiasm and dedication
* Ability to make decisions and assertiveness
* Management and policy-oriented thinking
* Creativity and good judgement
* A systematic approach and way of working
* "Social skills" include abilities that assist the project
manager in coping with difficult social situations
* They assist the PM hold responsibility and take on leadership
* A good understanding and empathy towards human nature
* Ability to deal with conflict and develop relationships
The Professional Skills of a Project Manager should be based on an
all-round, global knowledge:
* SAP Product awareness and the architecture
* Managerial and economic aspects
* Information technology basics
* General project management
* Foreign languages
* Leadership techniques
* Planning and control techniques
* Good Presentation and Communication skills
* Project Planning and Detailed work plan development skills
* Working materials for project management
* SAP implementation tools (Reference Model, IMG (SPELL OUT),
ASAP, others)
* Best Estimator tool for estimating the labour requirement
* Standard software products used at SAP
Responsibilities:
* The Project Manager works on one engagement at a time
* Responsible for implementing mySAP solution within the scope,
time and budget
* Responsible for deliverables with high quality and client's
satisfaction
* Conduct weekly project team meetings
* Conduct monthly or (periodic) Steering Committee Meeting
* Resolve issues without affecting the project
* Communicate and stay in touch with the Senior Management of the
Client organisation with regard to the progress of the project. Gain
acceptance and support for the rapid implementation of the project
* Motivate team for better results
* Provide appropriate support for the project team as and when
required
* Involve SAP Auditors or SAP Project Advisor as and when
necessary
* Work with the Implementation Partner consulting resources for
smooth and cordial functioning of the project activities
* Ensures knowledge transfer occurs with the client team
* Makes clear the roles and responsibilities of the consultants
team and client team
* Ensures outputs and results from both client and consultant
teams
* Report exception to the SAP Project Director/Senior Project
Manager and Client Management
* Prepare weekly progress reports through the Team Leaders and
circulate
* Prepare or provide support in the preparation of Steering
Meeting presentations as well as the minutes
* Overall management of the project
* Have minimum escalation's to SAP Organisation
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER (K6)
Position Concept
The Senior Project Manager is a key position in the Consulting
Organisation. They are responsible for the successful delivery of a
project in terms of scope, deliverables, timeline, budget, client
satisfaction and employee satisfaction. The Project Manager is a window
through which the client views SAP and the SAP organisation.
Project Managers must have a rational view to various situations in the
project. They must be very sensitive to client needs bearing in mind the
conflicting requirements that a client team would demand, and the
delivery capabilities of the consulting team.
The skills of the Project Manger are - good project planning skills,
understanding and appreciation of the complexities involved in the
implementation of an integrated application, good communication skills
and people management skills. The Project Manager must be team builder,
motivator, and coach. Must be able to resolve conflicts, take
appropriate decisions at the right time and substantiate the proposed
solution to the client. The Project Manager, with the support of the
Senior Consultants or Integration Consultants, would take the right
decisions for the project. The Project Manager is a taskmaster when it
comes to the delivery of the project. They are responsible for managing
issues that arise from either the consultants and / or the client.
Prior experience in SAP implementation or SAP Project Management is
desirable. The Project Manager must be ASAP certified, to ensure that
the necessary methodology and tools are being deployed fully in the
project by the project team. The consulting team reports to the Project
Manager through their Team Leaders for that project. The Project Manager
works with the Client Project Manager for planning activities, obtaining
necessary infrastructure support and decisions that are required for the
project to progress.
The Project Manager should ensure that regular meetings between the
team, as well as the Steering Committee are conducted. In case of lapse,
the Project Manager communicates the same to the Client Management team
to evoke